While common convention might say that a cremation urn is a metal, vase-shaped vessel, there are plenty of ways to celebrate a life on your terms and abandon convention. There are many artists who create unique urns and no matter what the personality of your loved one, there's sure to be one out there that's an ideal fit.

Wood Cremation Urns

Urns made of wood range in shape from more traditional box or cube-shaped urn to those crafted from rescue wood and turned on lathes. The box-shaped urns are ideal for those who wish to embellish them with additional decoration like a military or other meaningful insignia or medal. The more artistic cremation info in wood are more vase-shaped or even box-shaped with etching or other natural decorations such as inlaid semi-precious gemstones. Common woods for urns are elder, maple and mahogany.

Glass Cremation Urns

The last material many people think of when they think of a cremation urn is glass - but think again. There are a wide variety of unique urns made of spun or blown glass. Finishes range from high-lustre to elegant matte and color options are only a limit of your imagination. Glass urns are also available in varying opacities, ranging from fully transparent to completely opaque (and everything in between).

Biodegradable Cremation Urns

Changes in the way we think about the environment ripples not only through our community but the mind of the artist as well. Biodegradable urns are unique in that they can accommodate burial and setting ashes to sea for water burial and in the most eco-friendly way. Whether you're in search of a unique pet urn or something to suit the eco-sensitive soul, biodegradable urns can create a fitting memorial while minimizing environmental impact.

Ceramic Cremation Urns

There are many artisans skilled in ceramic crafts and thus an eclectic assortment of artistic cremation urns in this medium. Shapes vary as wide as the mind's eye can wander - moons, bears, boxes, hearts, bones and beyond. Ceramic urns can be finished in both matte and gloss glazes and custom ceramic pieces offer the opportunity for high levels of customization. A unique ceramic urn can include objects embedded in the glaze as well as name personalization with specialty paints.

Metal Cremation Urns

Common for members of the military and those seeking a modern, distinguished vessel for their loved one, metal urns are popular selections. Availability ranges in size from tiny to spacious and metals commonly used are brass and bronze. Finishes vary as do shape - brushed or high-polish exteriors and shapes ranging from traditional vase-like vessels to cast dog bones and beyond. Metal also offers a high degree of potential customization as you can contract with talented casters to design a specialty shape that honors the memory of your loved one to a tee.